The Paradox of Mining Lithium to Save the Planet | The Spill
Most proposals to keep fossil fuels in the ground rely on taking new minerals out of the ground — especially lithium, a major component in the batteries powering electric vehicles.…
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A Tale of Blood and Ashes: The Exeter Vampires | Halloween Season
In 1800s America, something terrifying is feeding on the quiet town of Exeter. As members of George Brown’s family succumb one by one, the town considers drastic measures to protect…
Can a Robot Build Better, Cheaper Houses?
Jason Ballard is the co-founder and CEO of ICON. Jason’s problem is this: Can you use 3-D printing to build houses that are cheaper, better and more interesting than the…
Wolfgang’s Law – Part Two
We’ve known about a solution to violent crime for decades. Why hasn’t it been adopted everywhere? And what are the costs of waiting so long? You can order The American…
Regrets, I’ve Had a Slew
In February, the Heavyweight team headed to Brooklyn for a live show at On Air Fest. There was a countdown of Jonathan’s most regrettable moments from the show, and an…
Colin Kaepernick on Never Backing Down
This week’s episode with Colin Kaepernick was recorded live at Marcus Books in Oakland, California. Kamau opens by thanking Kaepernick for his book, The Perilous Fight, which reached #1 on…
Sam the Banana Man: Gunboats, Coups, and United Fruit
In the late 1800s, a Russian immigrant named Samuel Zemurray spent nearly everything he had on a load of bananas, and turned it into a fortune. But Sam the Banana…
Susanna Hoffs
Susanna Hoffs rose to fame in the 1980s as the lead singer and guitarist of the Bangles, the Los Angeles band behind hits like “Manic Monday,” “Walk Like an Egyptian”…
What Gets Lost When We Text Instead of Talk with Dr. Nick Epley
For most of human history, we only had one way to talk to one another: our voices. Today, we have more ways to communicate than ever before. We can text,…
Episode 6: The Women
Note: This episode contains descriptions of rape and sexual assault. With his state and federal appeals almost exhausted, Temujin Kensu turns to the work of private investigators like Herb Welser,…
How Tech Billionaires Broke Democracy | The Spill
Tech billionaires have increasing influence over all aspects of our lives, and it’s not by accident. Amy Westervelt and Gil Durán both recently published books examining the ideas and individuals…
When Aliens Landed in Wiltshire | Halloween Season
In 1980s Southern England, intricate crop circles are appearing overnight, and people are desperate for an explanation. Could humans really create something so complex without anyone spotting them? The truth…